From The Peopling of New York City

I recently interviewed Mohammad Pier, a tax consultant and notary public in Jackson Heights, who also happens to be President of the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA). His office is on 73rd street, on the second floor of the building the mosque is located in.

Jin Woo: Hello, my name is Jin Woo Chung from Hunter College, and I’m doing a project on Jackson Heights, may I ask you some questions please?

Mohammad Pier: Well, I’m on my way out right now.

J: Oh, sorry, well it’ll only take a few minutes at the most.

M: Okay, come in.

J: I heard you are in charge of the Jackson Heights community, is that true?

M: Well, I represent the Bangladeshi businesses in Jackson Heights.

J: About the Bangladeshi Business Association, are only Bangladeshis in it?

M: Yes, the Indians have their own organization.

J: Why are there two different ones?

M: Well, the Indians have their own business organization and we have ours for Bangladeshis. There are two because we are from different countries. We can become a part of the Indian organization also, just that Bangladeshis have one for themselves.

J: I heard that has been a large influx of Bangladeshi immigrants, is that true?

M: People have always been coming to Jackson Heights from all over New York because you can buy anything Bangladeshis need here. Chinese people go to Chinatown and you go to Flushing, just like how we go to Jackson Heights.

J:Since when has Jackson Heights been having more Bangladeshis coming in?

M: I guess since about…1990. Slowly since then, year after year, more and more have been coming.

J: Why is it that this has been happening?

M: Well, Jackson Heights is easy to get to because of the subway stops here.

J: About the mosque on 73rd, is there a name for the place?

M: No, I don’t think it has a name. It’s just a mosque.

J: Is the mosque affiliated with the Bangladeshi Business Association?

M: No, as far as I know, it’s a social service.

J: Do you know about the Islamic street vendors who sell books in Jackson Heights?

M: Yes.

J: Are they in any way connected to your organization?

M: No.

J: Are they connected to the mosque here?

M: No. I don't think so.

J: Umm…then, they are run individually?

M: Yes, they get their permits form the Department of Consumers, they can set up their shop anywhere in New York. They are not part of Jackson Heights and they have no actual shops, so they are not part of the business organization.

J: Then do you know where they get their wholesale items?

M: I’m sure there is a place in New York where they get it from.

J: Okay, thank you for your time.

M: No problem.